The desk columnist of the Catholic Times comments on the influence that relativism and secularization have had on our thinking and actions. God's providence is no longer part of our concern, and no longer do we live guided by God's commandments and biblical truths. Despite this, the Church continues to confess God and to preach the gospel, asking the world to also bear witness to these truths, with our bodies and our mental and emotional lives. During this Year of Faith, the Church is emphasizing that this is also our duty as Christians.
What does this mean in our lives now that our media continually report on a stagnant economy and the violence and crime in our society? A possible solution may be as close as the elections for president in December, the columnist believes. Three candidates will be running for president, and all of us--Christian and non-Christian--will be following the results with great interest.
The United States is similarly preparing for their general election. The columnist mentions that a number of Catholic bishops in the States have urged that Catholics be guided by Catholic principles when casting their vote. The bishops have spoken out in opposition to the Obama administration's position on moral issues that go contrary to the policies of Catholicism. The columnist believes that by voicing their concerns about the present administration, the U.S. bishops will have an influence on the election in November. He also adds that many think it inappropriate that leaders in the Church are getting involved in the selection of the president, and are criticizing the Church for this involvement.
The columnist quotes an American bishop who blamed problems of society on a lack of principles. What does a Christian mean by principles? For a Christian, it's the teachings of the Church, handed down over centuries, which Catholics are asked to follow. One's own personal values, of course, should be considered when choosing a political party, and who would be good candidates, and other political concerns. But for a Catholic who would like to make the best possible choice help should come from the teachings of the Church.
The Justice and Peace Committee of the Korean bishops have prepared a questionnaire for the candidates, asking them about right-to-life issues, freedom of the press, peace, ecological issues, energy, the economy, labor issues, among others. The Church has expressed its teaching and is now asking the candidates for their views on these same issues. Their responses to the questionnaire will be a help to Catholics when voting for the new president.
The president of the bishops' conference asked all to vote. He mentioned that the position of the bishops on nuclear power plants was postponed to after the election. This was a wise decision the columnist says for it meant to give the Catholics freedom on this issue. For a Christian, however, it is essential to his Christianity to have moral principles that are not negotiable, become an important aspect of the voting process.
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